Shloka 21
Adhyāya 36: Ghora-yuddha-varṇanam
A Clinical Description of the Intensified Engagement
सम्प्राक्रुष्टे रुदितस्त्रीकुमारे पराभूते पौरुषे धार्तराष्टरे । मया कृत्यमिति जानामि शल्य प्रयाहि तस्माद् द्वधिघतामनीकम्
samprākruṣṭe ruditastrīkumāre parābhūte pauruṣe dhārtarāṣṭre | mayā kṛtyam iti jānāmi śalya prayāhi tasmād dvidhighatāmanīkam ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai Śalya! Ketika jerit kesusahan bangkit dari segala penjuru, ketika para perempuan dan anak-anak menangis tersedu, dan ketika keteguhan gagah sang Dhārtarāṣṭra (Duryodhana) telah dihancurkan—aku tahu kewajiban yang harus kupikul. Karena itu majulah menuju bala musuh dan tumbangkan barisan terdepan mereka.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a moment of collective panic and moral collapse, the verse foregrounds kṛtya—recognizing one’s immediate duty—and acting decisively to stabilize one’s side. Ethically, it shows how duty in war is framed as timely action amid suffering, even when that action is violent.
After Droṇa’s fall (as indicated by the contextual gloss), the Kaurava camp is overwhelmed by cries and mourning; Duryodhana’s confidence is shaken. Sañjaya urges Śalya to move against the enemy formation and attack, implying an attempt to restore momentum and support the distressed Kaurava leadership.